knocking pipes

[maxforce]

Hi,
We've recently started hearing a rapid knocking or vibration-like sound in our flat. It seems to be coming from the wall that houses the soil stack, I'm fairly certain it also carries water pipes for other flats.
The sound is fast and rhythmic, almost like a vibration lasting a few seconds at a time, then stopping for a few minutes before starting again. It happens independently of our water use, so it doesn’t seem like typical water hammer?
When I listen closely at the wall, I can hear a faint "whooshing" sound just before the knocking starts, almost like water rushing through a pipe, hasn't picked up in the recording, hard to describe.

We’ve noticed this before, but it never lasted this long it’s been going all night and is continuing through the day now. its basically constant, every minute. Any idea what might be causing it, and how we can go about getting it looked at or resolved?


Thanks!

 

[Chuck]

It could be water hammer due, for example, to a toilet with bad inlet valve. This might explain why it's gradually getting worse. Another possibility is an aging air-admittance valve operating when someone flushes a toilet. The fact it has been getting progressively worse and is now continuous makes me think that the former explanation is the more likely.

If it's a block of flats and is causing a 'noise nuisance' you need to report it to the block owner/manager so it can be investigated and fixed properly.

 

[maxforce]

well this was short lived..I've had a look around the building and spotted some insulated pipes going up my floor visibly shaking, pretty sure that's what I'm hearing.
not sure what would cause it but they likely need to be better supported. hopefully the maintenance can sort it out as its in a communal area.